ILOILO – To aid farmers impacted by the El Niño phenomenon and increase swine inventory, the provincial government plans a swine dispersal targeting backyard hog raisers.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said they are currently seeking funding sources for the initiative, aiming to launch it in 15 municipalities unaffected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
With a required budget of P10 million, the program intends to provide each qualified hog raiser with a maximum of two swine and necessary feeds.
Eligibility for the program is broadly defined, with preference given to farmers whose livelihoods — whether in rice, root crops, high-value crops, or livestock and poultry — are adversely affected by El Niño.
This initiative is distinct from the provincial government’s sentinel program with the Department of Agriculture (DA), which focuses on ASF recovery.
Besides combating the effects of El Niño, the swine dispersal aims to bolster the local swine inventory.
Additional measures include collaboration with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for the Sustainable Insurance of the Government for Upscaling and Revitalizing the Agricultural Development and Opportunities (SIGURADO) program.
This initiative, supported by an initial P 15 million from the provincial government, allows unregistered farmers to obtain insurance by covering a P2,000 premium, offering up to P20,000 in insurance for affected crops, based on PCIC assessments.
The move reflects a strategic adaptation to El Niño’s challenges, emphasizing livestock over crop-based support due to the reduced water dependency of swine raising.
As of April 1, 2024, 19 towns have reported significant damages totalling P473,404,914, affecting 9,850 farmers across 9,198.53 hectares, with 792 hectares totally damaged and 8,406.08 hectares partially damaged.
The 19 towns (with damage and farmers affected) are the following:
* Tigbauan (P17,591,834; 424 farmers)
* Oton (P32,475,326; 631 farmers)
* Tubungan (P22,122,120; 780 farmers)
* Anilao (P52,223,800; 1,176 farmers)
* San Enrique (P2,956,879; 181 farmers)
* Cabatuan (P42,881,524; 1,023 farmers)
* Barotac Nuevo (PP67,919,610; 937 farmers)
* Miag-ao (P2,872,117; 87 farmers)
* Mina (P7,962,403; 353 farmers)
* Dingle (P7,130,011; 110 farmers)
* Dumangas (P120,836,330; 1,489 farmers)
* Igbaras (P4,737,960; 208 farmers)
* Banate (P39,188,402; 770 farmers)
* Zarraga (P913,008; 12 farmers)
* San Miguel (P5,839,222; 125 farmers)
* Carles (P15,385,850; 630 farmers)
* Leon (P9,668,457; 279 farmers)
* Barotac Viejo (P3,869,505; 62 farmers)
* Sara (P16,830,550; 573 farmers)/PN
